As the title states the decision to race does not come easy. Racing sled dogs has always been an unattainable dream for me. Before I had my two kids I dabbled in a little sprint racing - meaning very short, fast races. My career as a sprint musher was never at a fast speed because I have always had "hand-me-down" dogs and we always finished last. There was a reason these dogs didn't make the race teams in their kennels of origin and it usually meant they liked to stop and smell the roses or yellow snow as the case may be.
When my two children where born my priorities took a swift change. My love for running sled dogs was still very very strong yet my loyalty to family was stronger. I couldn't spend the hours required to train up a team to race. I regret to say that some years dog sled training was maybe once or twice a week. My children were babies and toddlers and they required hours and hours of care. Along with children comes more expenses thus the need to work a full time job. Full time jobs and intensive training of sled dogs have an impossible ability to co-exist.
As financial concerns and time constraints began to tighten around my family I would often discuss with my husband giving all my dogs away and getting out of sled dogs all together. But as the old dog mushers will tell you once sled dogs are in your blood - they are there to stay. I would always pull out my sled, go for a run and once again become invigorated to "hang on" for a while longer. I always rationalized being able to buy my next 50 pound bag of dog food. That would last me another week or so (I had a four dog team at this time). When the endless work got to me, dog mushing became my time for peace and tranquility - if that can be obtained when dealing with wiggly, screaming to go, busting at the tug line sled dogs. I squashed my dreams of being an Iditarod or Yukon Quest champion. My priorities were with my husband and children. Dog mushing became a luxury.
As my children grew, money became tighter and tighter. I didn't want to be forced to give my sled dogs up. Thus Sun Dog Express Dog Sled Tours was born. It was a shot in the dark but I had to figure out something to keep my sled dogs fed and with me. I wasn't sure how my "racing dogs" would take to hauling heavy loads in a sled and dealing with lots of people. I was truly amazed and humbled by my "guys". Work is work to a sled dog and comes in many forms. Hauling people around and being friendly is work and sled dogs are working dogs. They had a definite sense of happiness and accomplishment on their faces after every tour. They felt needed and wanted. They know each person that walks into the dog yard is there to see them and they love it!!! Not only did I discover through doing the tour business that I could support my motley crew of sled dogs but that I could also meet interesting people from all over the world and share my love for some of the best animals that God put on this snow covered earth.
My children are now teenagers. The intense demand on my time is still there but I can now rationalize with the two youngsters I have in my home. They help me as much as they can. I made the decision two years ago to follow my dream to return to racing. This time it will be middle distance racing. Middle distance is defined as anything longer than a sprint race yet shorter than the Iditarod or Yukon Quest. Middle distance still has many of the benefits (seeing lots of pretty country) of long distance racing but without the money and training time demands. I couldn't hold a full time job and train for long distance without taking a lengthy leave of absence - that wouldn't go over well with my boss.
